The reason is far from shoddy craftsmanship. Rather, it’s a combination of a volatile environment requiring near constant building-code upgrades coupled with the high cost of retrofitting. It’s often just easier — and cheaper — to build from scratch.

So you could say that Japanese architects have experience building houses in a way that outpaces most other countries.

Which is why there is much to learn from the second edition of House Vision Tokyo, happening right now, in which top architects and companies pair up to explore the future of housing and public spaces. This year’s title is Co-Dividual: Split and Connect/Separate and Come Together.

The future will be more communalNot everyone has space for a garden or workshop at their place. An emphasis on common spaces fosters community and allows for greater flexibility in practicing new hobbies and socializing with our neighbors.

The Nomad House, by Mitsukoshi Isetan, Tanijiri Makoto and Ai Yoshida

Temporary housing will look beyond the hotelA permanent house might not make sense for every kind of worker in an urban economy. For someone who has to travel a lot, the Nomad House — an exercise in co-living, kind of like upscale dorms for adults — is a solution and alternative to a hotel or Airbnb.

Airbnb, meanwhile, will expand its horizons to community centersSpeaking of the home-sharing network, they’re pushing forward on the communal front with this concept, wherein the main floor is designated for communal use while the upstairs are private units for short-term renters.

Yamato Holdings and Fumie Shibata

Technology will make your home a paragon of efficiencyWhat you're seeing above is a concept for a refrigerator and parcel box that can be accessed from outside. If you enjoy grocery delivery subscriptions or are just sick of missing the UPS guy for the umpteenth time, this is likely an innovation you'll be eager to adopt. And below, you'll find a curved house with a wall that serves as a projector screen, integrating the outdoor and indoor spaces into a continuum of social space.

Windows are doorsIn the above concept, windows serve as doors that lead to separate spaces for bathing, dining and relaxing. Perhaps a bit more flash than function, but once we saw the interior we weren't complaining: